Interview with Alvin Fruga
March 2006, BlackGospel.com (By Christopher Heron)

Alvin Fruga grew up observing his father as he planned, prepared, and provided the ministry of music for their local church.  From that extraordinary example set in his home, he learned the necessary and effective techniques of leading worship, as well as the spiritual elements of heart preparation and the anointing.  His divine appointment for music ministry has prepared him for exceptional spiritual leadership, including working with elite men of God, such as Bishop Carlton Pearson and Pastor Andrae Crouch.

At this appointed season, Alvin is dispensing wisdom and knowledge beyond his years through his latest offerings, including his recent publication, When They Began To Sing and his recent album, I Draw Near, as  well as through his music ministry in tabernacles around the world.  His multi-faceted gifts of writing, directing, teaching and producing have made him highly sought after by those desiring to experience the presence of the Lord through music. BLACKGOSPEL.COM spoke with this inspiring man of God who had some proverbial thoughts to share with both serious music ministers and lay workers for the Lord.

Christopher Heron:  I’d like to start our interview by discussing your formative years, growing up in Southern California, and how exactly those days played an instrumental role in preparing you for your distinctive music ministry.  Who were some of your artistic and ministerial mentors that were directly responsible for inspiring you to live your life through your musical gifts?  And what was the determining factor or factors that decisively led you into full-time music ministry?

Alvin Fruga:  I can’t discuss my formative years without mentioning my Dad, Willie Fruga Sr. When I was a kid my Dad was the director of our local church choir at New Gethsemane C.O.G.I.C. in Pomona, California and a member of the state choir within the Church Of God In Christ organization in Los Angeles, California. I used to go to choir rehearsals with my Dad and watch him teach songs, motivate choir members and command the attention of all band and choir members. I also watched him lead songs in front of large crowds in those huge state meetings.

The people would be on their feet praising the Lord. I remember looking at my Dad, then looking at the crowd’s excited response, and saying to myself, “I want to do that!” My Dad also taught me my first song on the piano. It was that old classic “Oh Happy Day”. I played it at church in a special service. After that my Dad never had to teach me another song. I got the piano bug so bad that my Dad literally had to tell me to get off the piano. I wanted to do everything I saw my Dad doing, and I eventually did.

I directed the choir, taught songs, lead songs and played the piano and organ. I owe a lot to my Dad for the musical and ministerial deposit he made into my life. Beyond my Dad, I would have to say that the biggest influence was Andrae Crouch. I loved his musical style and his ability to cross cultural barriers. The determining factor that led me in to full-time ministry would have to be my decision to attend Oral Roberts University. That was the place where I developed further my music ministry gifts and decided that this is what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.

CH:  Your gifts led you into forming a very special professional relationship with Andrae Crouch.  How did you meet Mr. Crouch and what made this artistic union between you and the pioneer of Contemporary Gospel music such a particularly blessed and bountiful relationship in music and ministry?

AF:  Well, to be honest I have had maybe a total of four personal encounters with Andrae Crouch. But that’s four more than most people, so I’m truly grateful. I remember, as a little boy, looking at the first Andrae Crouch and the Disciples “album” cover and thinking, “Man, this guy is awesome”. Now, to have been able to speak with him personally and to have him give a quote for my book is a tremendous honor. He called me at home and gave me his quote himself. How cool is that.

My last encounter with him was when I attended a studio recording for his Tribute album. There was literally a choir of recording artists there to sing with him on his classic song My Tribute. I still have a treasured picture of that event with me standing behind him. I knew that Andrae was getting ready to take over his Dad’s church, due to his Dad passing away. I felt impressed in my heart that we needed to have a special time of prayer for him.

So, after the recording was over I stepped out amongst all these musical generals and asked if we could lay hands on Andrae for special strength to go in to the pastorate. Everyone agreed, and we joined around him and supported him in prayer. Tears began to flow down his face. It was a real powerful moment. I don’t think he will ever realize just how much of an impact he has made in the lives of people like me who have a desire to truly worship God through song.

CH:  Your talent and anointed music evidently caught the attention of Bishop Carlton Pearson and his Higher Dimension ministry.  What was serving that church in the capacity of Minister of Music like?  And how did your fellowship with Higher Dimension prepare you for things to come?

AF:  When I became Minister of Music at Higher Dimensions, I had to fill some big shoes in replacing the gifted and anointed Gary Oliver, who just happens to by my pastor now at Tabernacle of Praise in Fort Worth, TX. Gary Oliver was loved and well respected at Higher D. He is tall, white and handsome and can sing like a black man. I am short, black, my wife says I’m cute, and I sing like a black man. But compared to Gary Oliver, it would have appeared like a step down musically for Higher Dimensions. The point is, I didn’t consider myself on the same level as Gary Oliver and I was a little intimidated.

But God graced me and anointed me to take the music ministry farther than I could have ever imagined. Under my leadership, we recorded numerous albums that were nominated for both Stellar and Dove awards. Many of my songs have been heard all over the world. What an awesome opportunity. It has been ten years since my Higher Dimensions days, and I am still coming across people who remember me well from the television programs, Azusa conferences, and Azusa recordings. I am truly grateful to Bishop Pearson for the opportunity to minister along side him during that time. It was a great time.

CH:  You’ve traveled across this country, offering your expertise and experience to aspiring music ministers and ministries everywhere.  Is there a particular trend or cultural shift you are noticing in churches across the country, from small storefront churches to mega churches, in the way pastors, music ministers and congregations are approaching the experience of worship and praise in the church service?  And what are some of the key points you try to teach willing students, as you orchestrate valuable seminars and workshops?

AF:  In my opinion, the line in the sand has been drawn. You are either a church that is going to cater to the people or you are a church that is going to cater to the desire and wants of the Heavenly Father. You are either pursuing programs or His presence. You can’t do both. Many Pastors are intoxicated with numbers, so they will do whatever it takes to get people in the seats, even if that means programming God out of the equation. More and more churches are becoming seeker-sensitive churches rather than God-sensitive. What this means is less and less time for extended worship and a real time of engagement and connection with God. That is what people need the most. Even if they don’t think they need that, they do.

Our country really needs a move of God. This won’t happen until we have a serious move in our churches. But as long as pastors are trying to be men-pleasers rather than God-pleasers, we won’t experience that move. To this end, the main thing I try to teach in my seminars is that you can’t lead where you haven’t gone yourself. You must develop a personal worship lifestyle and a hunger for God’s presence that supersedes any other hungers you may have. There is absolutely nothing more important than the presence of God. You can’t effectively lead people into the presence of God on Sunday if you haven’t been there all week personally.

CH:  You’re a very prolific composer of music.  But now, your writing has taken on even greater significance with the release of your latest book – When They Began To Sing.  Could you tell us a little about this book?  Who is this book intended for?  And what inspired you to write this particular book?

AF:  The subtitle of this book is Understanding God’s Purpose For The Music Ministry. This is important because it speaks directly to why I wrote this book. Many people know how to sing, but they have no idea what God requires of them in terms of their life style. I often say to people that before God ever hears you sing or play a note, He wants your heart to be pure. If your heart is not pure, He is not listening.

I know that sounds harsh, but God has standards and requirements that must be met if we are truly to be effective in ministry. My book outlines these standards and requirements in detail. God only allowed certain people to minister to Him in the temple. He didn’t just accept anything or anybody. Your musical gifts alone do not qualify you to minister to the Lord. This book is intended for anyone who works in any capacity in their church, but more specifically those who work in the music ministry.

CH:  In conclusion, what lies in the heart and mind of Alvin D. Fruga in 2006?  What is your greatest ambition and wish for you, your ministry and for all of God’s people?

AF:  I have been preaching a message about the women in the Bible who had the issue of blood. Out of all the people “around” Jesus, this woman was the only one who touched Jesus in a way that got His attention. God told me that the reason this women got her healing was because she was desperate. The church has lost its desperation. We come to church and are happy to be “around” Jesus, but very few are desperate. My heart’s desire is to stay desperate for the presence of God and not allow anything to distract me from touching Him. If I do that, God will take care of my life and ministry. To all those who are reading this now, my word to you is GET DESPERATE. Only the desperate will get the prize.

For more information on the music and ministry of Minister Alvin Fruga, visit www.alvinfruga.com.  To contact Alvin Fruga, email him at Alvin@alvinfruga.com. To purchase his book, visit www.legacypublishersinternational.com.